Saltillo - Marcus D. Timms, 85, died Wednesday, April 15, 2009, at The Sanctuary Hospice House after an extended illness. A Saltillo native, he was born May 18, 1923 to D. L. (Dee) Timms and Velma Stanford Timms. During World War II, he served in the merchant marines in The Philippines, China, and Japan. After the war, he enlisted in the Army until August 5, 1949. At that time, he joined the Mississippi Army National Guard, retiring after 30 years of combined service. He worked as a machinist with Rockwell International. He was a member and past Master of the Robert E. Lee Lodge 156 and the Saltillo Lodge 294, a member of the Kych York Cross of Honor, and a 32 degree Mason. One of the great joys of his life was his volunteer service as a Lee County Shriner, transporting children to the Shriners Hospital. He was recognized for logging over 300,000 miles. He was formerly a member of West Jackson Street Baptist Church where he served 12 years as Sundy School Director of the Senior Adult Department and was a member of the choir for 27 years. He was currently a member of Oakridge Christian Church.
Graveside Services with Masonic Rites will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Cross Roads Cemetery. Rev. Dale Carr will officiate. W. E. Pegues Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.
Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Elizabeth Russell Tims of Saltillo; three daughters, Dr. Denise Thornton of Bartlett, Tenn, Diane Fields and husband, Art, of Bartlett, and Delisa Edrington of Saltillo; one sister, Bobbie Gussberry and husband, John, of Harriburg, Ark; five grandchildren, Casey Thorton and wife, Jamie, of Southaven, Kelly Thornton of Bartlett, Tenn., Courtney Barnett and husband, Caleb, of Guntown, Cody Edrington of Schaumburn, Il., and Kenzie Fields of Bartlett; two great-grandchildren, Aden Barnett of Guntown and Skylar Grace Thornton of Southaven.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Pallbearers will be David Brown, Art Fields, Phillip Rogers, Casey Thornton, Kelly Thornton, and Caleb Barnett.
Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home in Saltillo.
Memorials may be made to The Santuary Hospice House, PO Box 2177, Tupelo MS 38803